Read for the Record day creates space for Valadez, Melrose, and Rio Vista schools to come together to enjoy the book “Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon”

On Thursday, October 28, eighth-grade students at Valadez Middle School Academy hosted first graders from Melrose and Rio Vista elementary schools to participate in the annual worldwide event, “Read for the Record.”

The goal of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record is to bring millions of young children together with valued grownups in their lives to read the same book, on the same day, in communities all around the world. The campaign highlights the importance of building early literacy and language skills for every child, so that all students have the opportunity to succeed.

Each year, the Valadez Eagles collaborate with the young students from their feeder elementary schools in order to enjoy and celebrate reading together. This year, eighth-grade students paired up with their first-grade buddies were excited to read the book “Amy Wu and the Patchwork Dragon” by author Kat Zhang.

The school’s principal, Dr. Christa Borgese, provided a warm welcome to all in attendance. “This is only my 4th day here and I can’t tell you how excited I am to be able to celebrate and participate in such a fun but important event,” she said.

“Each year, Jumpstart selects a campaign book that fosters language and social-emotional development, honors the diversity in our world, has a strong narrative, and appeals to young children” she went on to share. “That book is read across the country and around the world by adults and young readers on Read for the Record day.”

After Dr. Borgese and the school’s middle and elementary school students sat side-by-side and began reading all at once in the quad. Throughout the morning, big and little buddies also participated in activity rotations which included art projects, games, and more.

Before the day was over, the young students from Melrose and Rio Vista received their own copy of the book, “Thank You, Omu!” to take home, share and read with their loved ones.